What is an Offer in Live Music Booking?

An offer (also called a booking offer or offer sheet) is a promoter's written proposal to an artist's agent to book a show, setting out the date, venue, fee, deal, costs and conditions for the agent to accept or negotiate. It is the first formal step in booking most live music shows. A clear, realistic offer makes it easier for the agent to say yes, and avoids disputes later at the settlement.

How an offer works

An offer moves through a familiar process:

  1. Check availability: the promoter checks the artist's avails and places a hold on the venue.
  2. Build the budget: the promoter estimates ticket income and show costs.
  3. Send the offer: the offer goes to the agent, usually with an expiry date.
  4. Negotiate: the agent and promoter agree any changes to the fee, deal or conditions.
  5. Confirm: the accepted offer becomes a deal memo or contract.

Offers are made against date holds, which venues and promoters track in a booking calendar in Crescat.

Offer vs contract

An offer is a proposal. Once accepted, its terms are written into a contract, along with the artist's rider. Many promoters use the offer as the basis of the contract so nothing is lost between the two.

What an offer usually includes

  • Artist, date, venue and capacity
  • Ticket prices and expected income
  • The deal: guarantee, versus or door deal
  • A show cost budget
  • Set length, billing and support acts
  • Any radius clause
  • The offer's expiry date
  • Deposit terms and payment dates

Frequently asked questions

Who sends the offer?

The promoter or talent buyer sends it to the artist's agent. At venue-promoted shows, the venue's programmer does this.

How long does an offer stay open?

Most offers include an expiry date, often a week or two. After that, the promoter can withdraw it or release the hold. Agents sometimes ask for more time while they compare other offers for the same date.

Can an offer be rejected?

Yes. Agents often receive several offers for the same date and choose the best one, or ask for better terms. The best offer is not always the highest fee; the venue, ticket price and promoter's track record matter too.

Related terms